In the New York Times article they describe the event as "The Greatest Battle Ever Fought on this Continent". In the article it talks about how both sides; meaning the Confederates and the Unions, fought with terrible tenacity. They predicted the loss to be very heavy, certainly no less than one thousand people on each side. The outcome of the battle based on the article is not certain at the time they were writing it. This was being written while the battle was still in continuation with great energy. The most significant thing that occurred in the battle according to the article was the number of lives lost. In the battle, the Union/North lost 2,896 men. The Confederates/South lost 1,982 men.
Letter to Home
Dearest Family, I just wanted to contact you to let you know that I am alive and mostly healthy. The battle is over, and I am sad to say that the Confederate has defeated us. I was shot in my left leg and was bleeding severely on the battlefield. Luckily, my fellow soldier saw me and saved my life. He ripped off his sleeve and used it as a tourniquet to stop the blood. He then dragged me across the battlefield and hid me behind a large boulder, hoping no one would see me. I am so thankful that he saved my life. It was a tough battle to watch. I am still in shock that the Confederate beat us. Even though they had more men, I never thought they would have the strategy to win over us. I am still recovering from leg injury; it is infected pretty badly. I am not going to be able to fight in any more battles for at least a month. I love and miss you all and cannot wait to see you. I will send more letters as I heal.